Back to School Teacher Tote

I’m so excited to have Melanie from the Crafty Cupboard here today! We’re doing a little swap, and so when you’re done with her fabulous Teacher Tote, you can head on over to her site for my tutorial on Friendship Cuffs! Two great tutorials in one!

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To make the Teacher Tote, you’ll need:

1. Exterior text print fabrics

• 4 cuts at 6”x10” Fabric A
• 4 cuts at 4”x15” Fabric B
• 2 cuts at 6”x15” Fabric C

2. Piping, at least 13”, purchased or self-made
3. Lining fabric, 2 cuts at 12.5”x15”
4. Heavy Interfacing (or canvas), 2 cuts at 12.5”x15”
5. Handle fabric, 2 cuts at 3”x24” (with optional interfacing, 2 cuts 3”x24”)
(This tutorial uses a 1/4” seam allowance)

1. To begin, take two pieces of Fabric A and sandwich your piping between the two pieces, Right sides together. Use a piping foot or zipper foot to sew as close to the piping as you can. Repeat with the remaining two pieces, and turn the fabric so the wrong sides are together. These are your pockets.

2. Lay Fabric C right side up, then the pocket piece down with bottom edges lining up. Next, place Fabric B Right side down with edges aligned to Fabric C. Pin along the long edge.

3. Sew along the side, and repeat on the other side.  This is makes an exterior side, so repeat steps 1-3 again for the second exterior side.

4. If desired, attach your interfacing to your handle pieces. Fold your handle pieces in half and sew along the 24” side to make a tube.

5. Turn your tube inside out, iron and top-stitch to stability.

6. Pin the handles so they are centered on the seams on the exterior fabric pieces. Baste in place.
7. Create Box corners:

9. Slide the lining bag into the exterior bag so right sides are facing each other. Pin around the entire top, matching side seams.

10. Stitch around the top and then turn the bag inside out through the opening in the lining.

11. Pin the opening shut,

12. Top-stitch the opening closed.

13. Iron the bag, and top-stitch around the top of the bag. You are done with your Teacher Tote!

This tote bag makes a great gift for the avid learner or teacher, so fill it with great books in their favorite topic, slide a gift card or note in one of the pockets, and wrap it up!

Or, you can use it for yourself so you can work on your favorite projects while sitting in the parent-pick-up lane  Heaven knows that can take a while! Hey, switch up the fabrics, and this tote is appropriate for any recipient or occasion!

(Fabrics used in this project: Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda, Just My Type prints by Patty Young for Michael Miller Fabrics, and a Michael Miller Ta Dot)